Your story "Minidoka Memories" (Aug. 15) was very interesting. Now it is time for you to feature a story on the internment of Germans and Italians during World War II.

Italians who lived on the Pacific Coast, i.e., DiMaggio and other noted Fisherman's Wharf restaurant names whose families were recent immigrants at that time, and earned their living fishing the ocean. They were ordered inland . . . they were forced to move away from the coast because Italy was an enemy and they could possibly be a danger to the United States.

Germans were interned. I know. My father was one of them. An intellectual, not a man who was accustomed to working with his hands, he lived in several internment camps and was ordered to work building and repairing railroads across the country, while guarded by the American military, during this period.

He never felt any anger or need of apology from the United States government. He understood that the United States was at war, that precautions were taken to prevent possible enemy actions and that innocent people were caught up in this, as well as those who could endanger our country.

He loved this country until his death in 1969.

Now, tell their story!

— Evelyn Mineo, Bellevue

What about the benefits?

Your article ("The Changing Face of Work," July 25) is well done, as most you have done over the years. I do have some comments about two subjects you mentioned.

"How come the 'working class' has fallen from 40 percent . . ." This is nothing new for me, educated and working in Switzerland before immigration in 1956. This trend was started in Europe when I left, and I see the same transition here now. The strong unions have created the present situation, in particular in Germany. My nephew in Switzerland has noticed a lack of drive in German workers when he has to work as part of his job there. I think Seattle is following in the same path for similar reasons.

"The new wild card in this stacked deck is the rise of well-educated . . ." You forgot to mention that we here in America have sucked thousands of manufacturing jobs from Japan and Germany in the recent past up to now. Honda, Toyota and Mercedes, etc., are building cars here where the labor is less expensive.

Also, many financial institutions have moved from the same countries to the U.S. for more efficient labor. It looks like you skipped the recent history with many benefits to the U.S. workers.

I still like your work and hope you will be more balanced in your next article.

— Arthur Dietrich, Bellevue

Encouraging words of home

After reading "Traditional, Conveniently" (Northwest Living, July 25), I immediately felt moved to write to you. I have walked through seemingly a lot of disappointment this past year. But Lawrence Kreisman's article re-ignited my pilot light. I was touched by your insight and sensitivity. The article and photos are beautiful and dignifying.

I was so pleased by the historical reporting, the injecting of a sense of context and our connectedness with our past in these fast-changing times. This has always been a "sidelight" of mine with clients, most often "off the clock," sometimes appreciated, sometimes not. In hindsight, I am glad for the little piece of time my wife and I spent in the Northwest Collection at your suggestion. You wove that information in seamlessly without being "teach-y" or too significant about it.

What the article especially conveyed to me is the beauty in simple things and something we are all up to: finding out what really matters and what we choose to carry forward with us in life. It is perfect that the article should appear back to back with "The Changing Face of Work."

What communicated throughout was "heart." There is the heart of the owner who, while the means might be there, chose for her family a kinder, gentler more "to-the-point" definition of "home." Then, linking back to the spirit of the times when the house was built (times that seem to have an eerie corollary with today), the typically unsung masters, like the cabinet-maker and the lead carpenter, are named. Finally, there is the possibility of sometimes a less heroic, more feeling role for the architect as collaborator and simple "tour guide."

But for myself, knowing something of the "behind-the-scenes," what I am most appreciative of is your heart.

— Greg Bader, architect, Seattle

Workin' it

Please pass on my great appreciation and admiration for the excellent writing of William Dietrich and beautiful photography of Benjamin Benschneider. "A Job Well Done" (Aug. 1) expresses so well how wonderful life can be for those who are willing to really work at it. This young woman is an inspiration to all of us, present and future. I hope a lot of youngsters will see this story and take it to heart.

It's nice to have brain surgeons and engineers, but it's just as nice to have craftsmen and artists who also contribute so richly to our world. Your magazine section is always something to look forward to on Sunday morning.

— Cathryn Baillie, Issaquah

One father's day

Kudos on your excellent article on Mr. Herbert Niccolls ("He Shot the Sheriff," June 20) and those people who affected his life. "Tender" was an excellent word choice in this story. We could use more of that around here these days . . . Never write another person off. What a treat your article was after a day of worship (my parish has been spoiled with a Jesuit with bad knees but who gives terrific homilies!), barbecue and time spent with family (including father and father-in-law), with kids lying in the little outdoor pool and doing handsprings around the yard — "Daddy, look at this!" — and an evening walk. It was a fantastic Father's Day, and your "Tender Mercies" was the topper. Thank you for the important service you give this community.

— Pedro Gonzales, Arlington

Boy, what a story

I have been perusing Pacific Northwest and its predecessor, Pacific, for the better part of 35 years. It is a pleasant, once-weekly diversion. I don't ever remember a better published story therein than the piece on Herbert Niccolls ("He Shot the Sheriff," June 20). Bravo. More.

— Jon Roanhaus, Snohomish